Kenzie Storrier ’19 works toward being an art director

Kenzie Storrier, of Winston-Salem, is a recent graduate of Appalachian’s communication, advertising major. She is now pursuing a master’s degree at Virginia Commonwealth University’s Brandcenter, one of the country’s premier creative advertising graduate programs.

What do you love best about advertising?

What I love most about advertising is how it combines artistic expression and human connection. I love the way it reflects and influences society, how it is always on the cutting-edge of creativity and that it allows me to learn about all peoples and cultures of the world.

What aspects of your Appalachian education best prepared you for this next step after graduation?

Working toward being an art director, it’s necessary to have a wide scope of knowledge from all areas of advertising and life in general. The diversity of classes within App’s communication, advertising major gave me a broad span of knowledge, which really prepared me well for the VCU Brandcenter. Having business, design and communication classes taught by professors with different perspectives was fundamental in gaining a well-rounded, practical education that I find myself pulling from constantly in my master’s program.

Why did you choose Appalachian as a prospective student?

Coming into college undecided about a major, I knew I wanted to attend a liberal arts, medium-sized school. On my college tour, the sense of community — both within the Appalachian student body/faculty and the town of Boone — really stood out. After seeing the beautiful campus and falling in love with the unique vibe Boone has, all of these things culminated in App becoming my No. 1 choice.

Describe your experiences in Appalachian’s Department of Communication?

I couldn’t have asked for a better experience with the faculty in Appalachian’s Department of Communication. They have truly touched and changed my life, and I am forever grateful for all they’ve done for me. They are very special people and are the reasons why the Department of Communication is such a fun and meaningful place. They were always accessible outside of class, willing to work with me one-on-one and are so passionate about what they do.

They pushed me to be the best I could be through positive critique and by giving me the knowledge, as well as the confidence, I needed to fully dive into my passion for advertising. They supported me every step of the way through undergrad and on my journey to the VCU Brandcenter. The relationships I formed with faculty in Appalachian’s Department of Communication mean a lot to me and remain strong upon graduating.

Why should today’s students interested in advertising choose Appalachian?

In my opinion, there is no other school that has the community that Appalachian has, and that carries over into the Department of Communication. Everything, from the faculty to the diverse curriculum and assignments, has prepared me well for the real world of advertising. This program gives students all the tools, resources and knowledge they need to excel at advertising if they put in the effort.

I also feel that Appalachian’s advertising program covers more ground than other schools, which may only focus on one area such as design. Advertising is not having just one skill set — it is being able to have many, and Appalachian recognizes that. Appalachian’s advertising program allows students to cultivate and expand their skill sets in a unique and positive environment. Boone and Appalachian as a whole really care about the students, and allow them to be free in expressing and discovering themselves at such a crucial point in life.

What do you think?

Share your feedback on this story.

Communication, Advertising (BS)

Communication, Advertising (BS) degree at Appalachian State University teaches both the creative and business aspects of the advertising profession. It prepares students for careers in advertising agencies, media, marketing or in-house advertising departments of non-profit or political organizations.

Learn more

About the Department of Communication

One of seven departments housed in the College of Fine and Applied Arts, the Department of Communication at Appalachian State University focuses on preparing students to succeed in the varied fields within the communication industry. The department offers five majors – advertising, communication studies, electronic media/broadcasting, journalism and public relations – and a minor in communication studies. Graduates work in a wide range of positions in media, corporate, agency, government and nonprofit organizations. Learn more at https://communication.appstate.edu.

About the College of Fine and Applied Arts

Appalachian State University’s College of Fine and Applied Arts is a dynamic and innovative group of seven academic departments, bringing together a variety of perspectives, experiences and real-world education to provide unique opportunities for student success. The college has more than 3,000 undergraduate and graduate majors. Its departments are Applied Design, Art, Communication, Military Science and Leadership, Sustainable Development, Sustainable Technology and the Built Environment, and Theatre and Dance. Learn more at https://faa.appstate.edu.

About Appalachian State University

As the premier public undergraduate institution in the Southeast, Appalachian State University prepares students to lead purposeful lives as global citizens who understand and engage their responsibilities in creating a sustainable future for all. The Appalachian Experience promotes a spirit of inclusion that brings people together in inspiring ways to acquire and create knowledge, to grow holistically, to act with passion and determination, and to embrace diversity and difference. Located in the Blue Ridge Mountains, Appalachian is one of 17 campuses in the University of North Carolina System. Appalachian enrolls nearly 21,000 students, has a low student-to-faculty ratio and offers more than 150 undergraduate and graduate majors.